Shreveport, LA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- For new fences and repairs
- Principal building
- Not required first
- Maintenance duty
- Good repair at all times
- Height measured
- From adjacent ground
- Decorative post allowance
- 6 inches over max height
Summary
Every fence in Shreveport, new construction or a repair to an existing one, needs a building permit under the UDC's general fence requirements. No principal building has to exist first, but the fence must stay in good repair and any damaged section has to be fixed, removed, or replaced.
All fences, including repair of existing fences, require a building permit.b.A principal building or structure is not required for the construction of a fence or wall, unless specifically required by this Code.c.Every fence and wall must be maintained in a good repair and safe condition at all times. Every damaged or missing element must be repaired, removed, or replaced.d.Height is measured from the adjacent ground to the highest point, except that decorative posts of a fence or wall may exceed the maximum height by six inches.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 Update 1 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
' That single sentence covers new installations and maintenance work alike, so replacing rotted pickets or resetting a leaning section triggers the same permit obligation as building a fence from scratch. The code does carve out one common assumption: a fence or wall does not need a principal building on the lot first, unless some other part of the Code specifically requires one, so a vacant or under-construction lot can still be fenced. c makes upkeep an ongoing legal duty rather than a one-time compliance step: every fence and wall must be kept in good repair and safe condition at all times, and any damaged or missing element must be repaired, removed, or replaced.
Height is measured from the adjacent ground to the fence's highest point, with one narrow exception: decorative posts may run up to six inches taller than the maximum height allowed for that yard without counting against the limit. Read together, these provisions mean a homeowner cannot treat fence repair as exempt maintenance work; the permit trigger is written into the same subsection as the general construction rule, and the code separately requires the fence to be kept sound going forward.
Violations & Fines
Fence work performed without the required building permit is enforced through the city's standard zoning and building permit code-enforcement channel, the same track used for any unpermitted accessory structure under the UDC. A property owner who builds or repairs a fence without a permit can be required to obtain one after the fact, remove noncompliant work, or face civil citations for continuing to maintain an unpermitted structure; a fence left in disrepair likewise exposes the owner to a code-enforcement notice to repair or remove the damaged sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit just to fix a broken fence panel in Shreveport?
Can I put up a fence on a vacant lot with no house yet?
Does a decorative fence post have to stay under the height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shreveport
Compare Shreveport to another location·View the Louisiana fence regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.